March 9, 2022 – Digital Diagnostics and Baxter International Inc. announced a long-term strategic partnership to help front line care providers deliver high-quality care and improve care outcomes. The partnership includes plans to offer Digital Diagnostics’ industry-leading IDx-DR® autonomous AI software as a diagnostic service combined with the Welch Allyn® RetinaVue® 700 Imager.
Digital Diagnostics created IDx-DR, the autonomous AI diagnostic system for the detection of diabetic retinopathy (including diabetic macular edema) at the point-of-care. Only 15% of people with diabetes receive the recommended annual diabetic eye exam. Access to effective diagnostic services is an obstacle, especially in rural or underserved areas. It leaves many with undiagnosed and untreated levels of disease, and a higher risk of consequent visual loss and blindness, as is recognized by the strict HEDIS/MIPS requirements for the diabetic eye exam.
The RetinaVue 700 Imager, which is currently available for use in the U.S., offers primary care providers a simple and affordable way to administer retinal exams during office visits. Together with the RetinaVue Care Delivery Model, the RetinaVue 700 Imager has been used to test more than one million patients, with automated features that make it easy to capture high-quality images in office. The device can be seamlessly integrated into clinical workflows, including connecting to the practice’s electronic medical record (EMR) system. Image transfers are protected with SOC-2 certified software.
FDA clearance of the use of IDx-DR with the RetinaVue 700 Imager is expected by early 2023. The agreement between Baxter and Digital Diagnostics is exclusive in the U.S. and non-exclusive outside the U.S.
The Welch Allyn product family is now a part of Baxter’s global medical technology portfolio, following Baxter’s acquisition of Hillrom in late 2021.